Oops, I slept With The Boss

Chapter 5

A slow smile spread across his face. "My reputation?"

"Don't play coy," Holly said, emboldened by the alcohol still buzzing through her system. "Your exploits make Page Six regularly enough. 'Hardy's Hard Play,' 'CEO's Late-Night Mergers.' The tabloids aren't subtle." They hadn't been the headlines, but it was fun to tease him.

Conner laughed, a genuine sound that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "And you believe everything you read?"

"I believe where there's smoke..." Holly stepped closer, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. "There's usually fire." Running a hand down his chest over his belt… he grabbed her hand before it could move lower still.

His eyes darkened as he pushed off from the wall. "Well then, let's see if I can exceed your expectations."

He placed his hand on the small of her back, leading her toward the elevators at the end of the hallway. The touch was possessive and confident, a man who knew exactly what he was doing and what he wanted.

"Your jacket," Holly started to slip it off her shoulders.

"Keep it on," Conner said, his voice dropping lower. "For now. You need something to hide that dress or I might need to fight men off before we get to my room."

The elevator doors opened immediately when he pressed the button to the far-left lift. As they stepped inside, Conner slid a keycard into a slot and pressed the only button. The penthouse suite, of course she should have guessed.

"Private elevator for the penthouse only?" Holly raised an eyebrow. "Fancy."

"Only the best, and no cameras," he replied, turning to face her as the doors closed. "Something tells me you might appreciate that too."

The moment the elevator began to rise, Conner moved. In two fluid steps, he had Holly pressed against the mirrored wall, his body flush against hers, one hand tangled in her hair. Their lips met in a kiss that was nothing like the one they'd shared on the balcony. This was hungry, demanding, a clear declaration of intent.

Holly matched his intensity, her hands gripping his shoulders, feeling the solid muscle beneath the expensive fabric of his shirt. He tasted like scotch and something darker, more addictive.

When they broke apart, both breathing heavily, Holly smiled up at him. "Page Six didn't exaggerate your enthusiasm."

"You haven't seen enthusiastic yet," Conner promised, his voice a rough whisper against her ear. His teeth grazed her earlobe, sending shivers cascading down her spine.

"Better deliver," Holly challenged, emboldened by desire and the knowledge that this was just one night. One night where she could be someone else, someone bold who took what she wanted. "I have very high standards."

Conner's laugh was dark with promise. "I always deliver, Holly. And I always exceed expectations."

"I like an overachiever."

The elevator dinged softly, announcing their arrival. Conner stepped back, his eyes never leaving hers as the doors slid open to reveal a private foyer.

"After you," he said, gesturing to the single door ahead.

Holly stepped out, aware of his eyes on her as she moved to the door. She heard him follow, felt the heat of his presence behind her as he unlocked the door and pushed it open.

The penthouse suite was breathtaking, floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city, modern furnishings in shades of slate and cream, a fireplace already lit and casting a warm glow across the expansive living area.

"Impressive," Holly said, stepping into the space.

"The view is better from the bedroom," Conner replied, watching her with predatory focus as he loosened his tie.

Holly turned to face him, dropping his jacket onto a nearby chair. "Is that your standard line? I'm surprised you didn't offer to show me your etchings." She grinned at him.

Conner's eyes darkened at her teasing. "I don't need lines. And I don't need etchings." He moved toward her with deliberate slowness, each step predatory and so primal it made her wet. "What I need is you out of that dress. But not yet."

Holly felt her pulse quicken. "Patience isn't my strong suit... I should let you know."

"It will be," he promised, voice low and confident. "By the time I'm done with you, you'll appreciate the value of... anticipation."

He stopped just shy of touching her, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. "Take off your shoes. I want to see just how tiny you are."

The command was unexpected. Holly raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his directness. "Giving orders already?" There was no denying she was short at only 5 feet 4 inches.

"Always," Conner replied, unrepentant. "I told you I'm demanding."

Holly maintained eye contact as she reached down, slipping off one heel, then the other. The loss of height made her acutely aware of how he towered over her now. It was… exciting to be made to feel small like this.

"Better," he murmured, circling her slowly. His hands settled on her shoulders from behind, strong and warm through the fabric of her dress. Slowly, deliberately, he swept her hair to one side, exposing her neck. His lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear, not kissing, just brushing against her skin as he spoke.

"I've been thinking about this since I first saw you at the bar," he confessed, his voice a low rumble that she felt more than heard. "How you'd feel under my hands. The sounds you'd make when I touch you."

Holly's eyes fluttered closed as his lips finally pressed against her skin, a barely-there caress that made her shiver. "And what sounds did you imagine?"

His teeth grazed her earlobe, one hand sliding down to span her waist. "I'm more interested in discovering the reality."

His other hand traced a path from her shoulder down her arm, raising goosebumps in its wake. "Cold?" he asked, though his tone suggested he knew exactly what effect he was having.

"Not even close, more like turned on," Holly managed, her voice huskier than she intended.

Conner turned her to face him, his eyes roaming her face with frank appreciation. "Honest, good."

He took her hand, leading her toward the center of the room. "Drink?" he offered, gesturing toward a well-stocked bar cart.

Holly almost laughed at the unexpected shift. "Trying to get me drunk, Mr. Hardy?"

"On the contrary," he replied, pouring himself a small measure of amber liquid, before returning to her. "I want you completely aware of everything that happens tonight. Every touch—" he ran a finger down her bare arm, "—every sensation—" his hand moved to her lower back, pulling her slightly closer, "—every moment."

Holly swallowed hard. "No drink, then. I want to remember this too."

His smile was slow and knowing. "Oh, you will. I guarantee it."

He set his untouched drink aside and stepped closer, crowding her space in a way that should have felt intimidating but instead sent heat pooling low in her belly.

His fingers traced the line of her jaw, tilting her face up to his. "You should know something about me," Conner said, his voice dropping to that commanding tone that made her insides liquefy. "When I want something, I take it. Thoroughly."

Holly's breath caught. "And you want me?"

He took a long drink before setting the glass aside. "More than I've wanted anyone in a very long time." His thumb brushed across her lower lip, the slight pressure making her mouth part involuntarily. "But I need to be clear about something."

"What's that?" Holly asked, suddenly curious.

His eyes locked on hers, intense and unyielding. "I don't do gentle. I don't do meek. And I certainly don't do just once."

The blunt declaration sent a surge of heat straight to her core. "Is that a warning or a promise?"

"Both," Conner said, his hand sliding to the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair. "I control the pace. I control the pleasure. Think you can handle that?"

Holly felt a delicious tremor run through her body. This was so far from her usual experience that she almost couldn't process it. But god, she wanted it. Wanted him.

"I can handle anything you've got, Hardy," she challenged, refusing to be intimidated despite the way her heart hammered against her ribs.

His smile was predatory. "We'll see."

In one swift movement, he pulled her against him, his mouth capturing hers in a kiss that was pure dominance. His tongue demanded entry, which she granted immediately, meeting his intensity with her own. His hands gripped her hips, fingers digging into the fabric of her dress as he walked her backward until she felt the cool surface of a wall behind her.

When he finally broke the kiss, they were both breathing heavily. "Turn around," he commanded.

Holly hesitated, then slowly turned to face the wall. She felt him step closer, his body heat warming her back without quite touching. His fingers traced the zipper of her dress, from the nape of her neck downward in an agonizingly slow path.

"This dress," he murmured against her ear, "has been driving me crazy all night. Do you know how many men were watching you in it? But they can only look." His teeth grazed her earlobe. "While I get to unwrap you. My little Christmas present."

The zipper made a soft hissing sound as he lowered it inch by torturous inch. Holly felt the cool air hit her skin as the dress loosened.

"Did you wear this for revenge?" Conner observed, his fingers tracing the newly exposed skin of her back. "But now I think you're wearing it for me."

Holly couldn't deny it. "Maybe I am."

His hands slid inside the open back of the dress, skimming along her sides. "Do you know what I'm going to do to you tonight, Holly?" His voice was soft but commanding in her ear.

"Why don't you show me instead of talking about it?" she challenged, turning her head slightly to catch his eye. "Or are you going to talk me to death?"

Conner laughed, the sound vibrating through her. "Impatient and mouthy. I told you; I control the pace." His hands moved to her shoulders, pushing the dress down her arms until it pooled at her feet, leaving her in nothing but a strapless black bra and matching panties.

"Christ," he breathed, taking in the sight of her. "Even better than I imagined."

Holly felt vulnerable but powerful under his gaze. She started to turn, but his hands on her hips stopped her.

"Not yet," he said. "I'm not done looking." His fingers traced the curve of her spine, down to the small of her back, circled the two dimples at her lower back, then lower still, grazing the top edge of her panties.

"You talk a big game, Conner," Holly said, her voice steady despite the shivers his touch sent through her. "But all I feel is a lot of looking and not much action. And here I thought you were a man of action."

She felt rather than saw his smile. "You think I'm all talk?" His hand slipped around to her stomach, splaying across her abdomen, pulling her back against him. The hard evidence of his arousal pressed against her.

"Feel that?" he growled softly in her ear. "That's what you do to me. And before this night is over, you're going to feel every inch of it. But not yet. Not until you're begging for it."